Carrying case for bottles and the like



April 17, 1962 N, BRANDON CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1958 BY wwgkgwzw ATTORNEYS April 17, 1962 R. N. BRANDON CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 12, 1958 INVENTOR QICHAQD N. BQANDON ATTORNEY5 April 17, 1962 R. N. BRANDON CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 12, 1958 INVENTOR RICHARD N. BRANDON ATTORNEYS Unite States 3,029,970 CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Richard N. Brandon, Richmond, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 773,422 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-21) Cases made entirely of metal, entirely of non-metallic material, or of combinations of these materials have been developed each having particular features related to the above-mentioned requirements.

An object of this invention is to provide a bottle carrying case having its wall portions formed of extruded metal and its bottom portion formed of a non-metallic material, the bottom portions being readily assembled into operative relation with the remainder of the structure.

Another object is to provide an improved handle means for a carrying case, serving to join the wall portions and bottom portions of the case into a unitary structure.

Another objectis to provide a carrying case having structural elements which are interchangeable, thus elimi nating any requirement for providing right and left hand members.

-A further object is to provide a carrying case which is light in weight consistent with ability to withstand heavy duty or careless usage, which has a pleasing appearance for marketing usage at point-of-sale; which is relatively inexpensive; which may be readily cleaned; which has a sound-dampening feature during handling thereof; and which provides for stacking.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds and when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of carrying case suitable for use in housing separate cartons of bottles,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the case shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the case shown in FIG. 1,

E6. 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second form of carrying case,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the case shown in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is an end elevation view of the case shown in FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 i sa sectional view on line 9-9 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

In accordance with the invention, I provide a carrying case whose walls are preferably formed from two extruded metal members and with a separate bottom portion which is formed from a non-metallic material. The metal members are joined together at the ends of the case by handle means, which hold the several parts of the case in assembled relation. The bottom portion of the case engages with the extruded wall members, and a suitable means for defining compartments within the assembled case is supported by the bottom portion of the structure.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 5, the walls of the case may conveniently comprise two identical extruded metal atent ice Patented Apr. 17, 1962 may also be suitably bent in conventional bending apparatus at the time when the carrying case is fabricated thus to provide the corner bends indicated at 12, 13, 14, and 15. Of even more significance, however, by using extrusions, various ornamental configurations such as the lines 16 may be formed on the exterior surface and simultaneously any number or shape of interior ledges, grooves, and the like having structural functions, may be formed on the interior surface of the extrusion.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, I provide an inwardly facing groove adjacent the bottom of the extruded wall member and defined by a lower flange 17 and an upper flange 18 extending inwardly from the wall members 10 and 11. Above this groove another flange 19 may be provided for engagement by the compartment defining spacers later to be described. At its upper edge the extruded wall member is provided with an arcuate edge portion such as a beaded flange 20 and in addition one or more intermediate strengthening flanges 21 may be em ployed. In particular, a generally horizontal flange 30 serving a reinforcing purpose at the top edge of the case is normally employed.

As a feature of the invention, a pair of separate extrusions 22 and 23 serving jointly as handle and as connecting means for the walls of the assembled case are provided. These extrusions may have a generally rectangular shape if desired, but for appearance purposes, I prefer to form them with symmetrical tapers at the ends, even at the cost of a small amount of scrap material. Each such extrusion, as seen in FIG. 4, may have an arcuate edge portion such as a curved lip 24 conforming to the shape of the head 20 for mating therewith and a horizontally directed shoulder 25 conforming to the reinforcing flange of the wall. The downwardly extending portions of these extrusions lie flush against the outer surfaces of the respective walls and at the extreme bottom edge are furnished with an inwardly directed flange 26 which engages snugly under the flange 17.

Suitably located in the body of these extrusions is an aperture forming a hand-hold for the case and which for comfort may include a curved inwardly bent upper section 27, and if desired a curved lower section 28. By use of any suitable joining means such as rivets, screws, welding or the like, the extrusions forming the handles also serve to hold the assembled case in rigid unitary form. A series of rivets 29, for example, passing through both the handle 22 and the end walls of the members 10 and 11 have been found to be suitable.

With the above structural arrangement in mind, the significance of certain features of construction of the bottom portion of the case will now be evident. As is known, the use of cases of this type when formed completely of metal entails considerable noise and clatter which when found at point-of-sale, for example, proves to be annoying. Furthermore, the extreme bottom portion of such cases receives appreciable wear after a period of time and sheet metal when used for the bottom portion may be dented or even punctured after a period of rough use. However, when a separate non-metallic bottom portion is employed, means must be provided to hold it in place and when screws, rivets or the like are so employed, after a period of rough use, they frequentiy become loose and serve to snag clothing or even the operators hands. The common disadvantages are completely eliminated in the present construction as will now be seen.

One form of bottom member for the carrying case may comprise a series of three wooden slats 31, 32, and 33 and as best seen in FIG. 5, the botom of each of these slats extends below the metallic flanges 17 and 18. These slats are bevelled at their edges as seen at 34, 35, and 36 sufficiently to permit them to fit within the shoulders 25 and 30 at the upper edges of a similar case, thus providing for nesting of empty cases. For drainage purposes, apertures or cut away portions of certain of the slats may be used, for example, the cut-away portions 37 and 38 of the respective slats 31 and 33. At their ends, however, the slats preferably contact each other as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3 thus contributing to rigidity of the assembled case. Above their bottom surfaces the slats, moreover, are furnished with a projecting shoulder which fits snugly within the space between flanges 17 and 18 of the extruded metal sides. It will be understood that in addition to wood, other non-metallic materials having wear-resisting and sound-deadening characteristics may be used, such as various forms of plastics.

epending upon the purpose of a particular carrying case, spacers defining compartments for individual bottles or other articles, or for cartons containing the same, are suitably disposed within the case. As shown, cases for use with cartons are illustrated herein and for the joint purpose of reducing weight and for rendering visible the advertising found on such cartons, apertures of substantial size as at 40, 41, 42 and 43 are formed in the members and 11. The apertures in handle means which form the hand-holds of the case serve a similar purpose. By reason of the ledges 18, 19, 21 and 31) all of which provide strengthening, the formation of such apertures does not weaken the case to any material extent.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, I provide a spacer arrangement comprising a central bar 44 which is rabbeted in a groove in the slat 32. A transverse bar 45 which is rabbeted in a groove in the slats 31, 32 and 33 and which in turn is rabbeted to the central bar 44 at their junction, forms one suitable arrangement of spacing. At their respective ends, each of bars 44 and 45 have narrow slots into which is fitted the extruded ledge 19.

In assembling the case, the slots and bars may be held in the described arrangement by any suitable jig; the two members 10 and 1t fitted therearound; the two handle extrusions pivotally mounted upon beads 20 at the ends of those two members; the handle extrusions pivoted downwardly until their flanges 26 are engaged beneath flange 17; and the rivets 29 installed, at which time the case assumes its unitary form ready for use.

Other arrangements of the several elements of such a case may be employed without departing from the invention. As seen in FIGS. 6 to 10 for example, two extruded wall members 50 and 51 having a curled bead 52 at the upper edge thereof and a flange 53 at the bottom thereof forming an inwardly facing space, may conveniently be used. For additional strengthening, these wall members may have an inwardly slanted portion 49 forming a reinforcing ledge. A pair of extruded metal handles 54 and 55 adapted to fit flush against the outer ends of the juxtaposed wall members and be fixed thereto by rivets 56 and 57, are also provided. Each of these handles has an aperture forming a hand-hold for the case, a flange S8 for fitting below flange 53 on the wall members and a spring-like downwardly extending skirt 59 for enveloping the head 52 at the top edge of those wall members. The wall members may also have formed therein large apertures for reducing the Weight of the case and for exhibiting the contents of that case.

In this modification, I prefer to employ a non-metallic bottom portion 60 made of Wood or the like and having a peripheral shoulder which fits Within the space above flanges 53 and 58. Such a bottom may be imperforate and have attached thereto at its top a light-gauge liner sheet 61 of metal, such as aluminum, which is easily cleaned and gives an attractive appearance to the interior of the case. For the purpose of drainage, one or more small apertures 62 may be located in one or more of the wall portions adjacent the top of the liner sheet as seen in H6. 8.

To serve as spacers, for defining the compartments in the case, I also provide a rod-like spacing bar 63 located along a central axis of the case and having bent ends resting in recesses formed in the bottom member adjacent the handle members, one such end 64 and recess 65 being seen in FIG. 10. A transverse bar 66 having its respective ends 67 and 68 similarly bent and resting in recesses 69 and 70 of the bottom member adjacent the side walls of the case is also provided, one of these bars being bent to permit intersection of their paths near the center of the case when they are of equal height. These rods may be comparatively small in diameter, for example, about /4 inch, and thus provide a compact construction.

In assembling this form of case, the bottom member is held in a jig and the rods 63 and 66 are first emplaced in small holes formed at the ends and sides of the liner after which the liner is brought into contact with the top surface of the bottom member, the bent ends of the respective rods then resting in the recesses in that bottom member and below the liner. The two extruded wall members 59 and 51 are then juxtaposed with the peripheral shoulder of the bottom member snugly engaged in the recess upon flange 53. Thereupon the two handle members are moved downwardly over the beaded edges 52 of the Wall members with the spring-like projection 59 permitting the necessary pivoting required to engage the flange 58 beneath flange 53. After this is accomplished, rivets 57 and 56 are installed thus forming a unitary case construction. It will be appreciated that any other conventional fastening means other than rivets may be used, if desired.

Various advantages of the two embodiments above described will be noted by those skilled in the art. The handle members are interchangeable as are the extruded wall members and thus no separate right and left hand members are needed. The extruded wall members may be shipped and stocked in flat form and bent into shape at the point where the cases are assembled, using simple bending apparatus. The actual assembly, moreover, can be conducted rapidly with comparatively unskilled labor and the handle members when installed provide a secure clamping action retaining the several parts in a rigid and unitary construction.

Having thus described my invention, it will be apparent that modifications may be made in the carrying cases embodying the same and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modification as falls within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An open-top, sound-dampening carrying case for bottles and the like comprising, a pair of extruded metal wall members each of which defines a complete side wall and a portion of two end walls of the case, each member including a horizontal inwardly extending top reinforcing flange, a horizontal inwardly extending bottom flange, and a horizontal inwardly extending flange adjacent said bottom flange and forming therewith an inwardly directed groove, said top flange terminating in a beaded solid edge located inwardly of said member sufliciently far to provide a reinforced upper edge of said case requiring no separate reinforcing attachment at said upper edge, a bottom member of non-metallic material having a peripheral shoulder portion engaging in said groove and a fiat central bottom surface extending below said bottom flange whereby upon resting the bottom surface of said case upon a flat supporting surface all metallic portions of said case are spaced from said supporting surface, a pair of separate handle members engaging the adjacent ends of said wall members and forming a junction therebetween, means rigidly affixing said handle members to said wall members, and compartment defining means disposed within the confines of said case above said bottom portion.

2. A carrying case as described in claim 1 wherein said separate handle members are interchangeable, each handle member having a horizontal inwardly extending top flange terminating in an arcuate edge portion engageable with said beaded solid edge of said wall member, a horizontal inwardly extending bottom flange and a horizontal inwardly extending flange adjacent said bottom flange of said handle member and forming therewith a groove whereby upon assembly of said handle member upon the wall members of said case, said groove of said handle member closely encompasses the outer surfaces of the respective flanges defining the groove wherein the bottom member of said case is confined.

3. An open-top, sound-dampening carrying case for bottles and the like comprising, a pair of extruded metal wall members each of which defines a complete side wall and a portion of two end walls of the case; each member including a horizontal inwardly extending top reinforcing flange, a horizontal inwardly extending bottom flange and a horizontal inwardly extending flange adjacent said bottom flange and forming therewith an inwardly directed reinforcing flange disposed between said groove and said top reinforcing flange; a bottom member of non-metallic material having a peripheral shoulder portion engaging in said groove and a flat central bottom surface ex tending below said bottom flange whereby upon resting the bottom surface of said case upon a flat supporting surface all metallic portions of said case are spaced from said supporting surface, a pair of separate handle members engaging the adjacent ends of said wall members and forming a junction therebetween, means rigidly afiixing said handle members to said wall members, and compartment defining means disposed within the confines of said case above said bottom portion, said compartment defining means including spacing members extending between the walls of said case and having end portions containing a horizontal outwardly facing slot engageable with the confronting edge of said intermediate reinforcing flange of said wall members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,390 Lindell Dec. 8, 1936 2,464,343 Praeger et a1. Mar. 15, 1949 2,648,456 Baxter Aug. 11, 1953 2,673,658 Stevenson Mar. 30, 1954 2,888,160 Sitler May 26, 1959 2,903,150 Rehrig Sept. 8, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 117,186 Great Britain July 11, 1918 828,371 Germany Jan. 17, 1952 

